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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

Ok, a word about early testing...

40 replies

chocolatecoveredlissielou · 10/04/2011 15:46

dont do it. seriously, its shit. companies like FR and CB will sell their "find out 6d early tests" (what they actually mean is 6d from missed period, so still only 10dpo) to you by taking advantange of the fog of insanity that comes from ttc. they manipulate all that hope and fear to try to convince you that you NEED to know as soon as youve had sex. in fact, it takes up to 10 days for an egg to implant. many women dont ovulate on CD14 and have longer or shorter luetal phases. they dont publish the stats on how many women actually get an accurate result at 10dpo (about 50%, shall find the stats if anyone wants to see) or how many women get a faint bfp, start planning and getting excited, only for their period to start on the expected day.

seriously, early testing will NOT make you any more pg. you wont get to meet your baby any earlier. you wont get an earlier scan (most hospitals will only scan from 6w) or MW appointments. in fact, you wont believe the result (esp if its a BFN) so you will retest the next day with FMU. then the next day. then the next day. until either your period arrives or you get a clear BFP.

and while Im on the subject, tests should be read within the time scale on the leaflet. you shouldnt take it apart and its so much better to see a clear bfp than one you have to hang out of the window, tilt to the left and squint to see.

I know some people will come on and say "I got a bfp at 6dpo, and just gave birth" but for every story like that there are 10 more who didnt get a bfp til 14po (or later) or 20 more who got a bfp then their periods started.

OP posts:
Original poster
chocolatecoveredlissielou · 11/04/2011 12:08

I would honestly buy a copy of TCOYF and a BBT instead. especially if your cycle is irregular. and definately go to the gp, PCOS and endo need to be ruled out.

OP posts:
buggerlugs82 · 11/04/2011 12:03

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This post has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns.

Cally35 · 11/04/2011 10:01

here here Lissie-. I would love to have a few words with FR and CB about their marketing, their early tests and opks actually. They prey on the vulnerable and charge an unreasonable amount for the priviledge. FR OPK tests say over 99% accurate so I did their tests, followed their instructions and couldn't get a positive. I'm not the only one it seems - but with these figures on their box , I panicked that I wasn't ovulating and used a pack of 20 sticks in the process.

Then I even waited to miss my period before using FR and it was negative. Again, there are stupid statistics on their box which made me think I couldn't possibly be pregnant as according to them, you can test up to 6 days early plus I got negative OPKs every day. It was 18dpo before it showed positive...Ok so i m/c'd later but they need to be more honest I think and stop barking on about "accuracy" because they clearly are not accuracte for a hell of a lot of people.

Original poster
chocolatecoveredlissielou · 11/04/2011 08:21

buggerlugs, have you seen your gp about your cycles? I second TCOYF to help you out.

I just hate the way that they twist the facts and manipulate people when they are desperate. there are obviously times when you need to know early, but the best way to get a definate result early on is through a blood test, HPT's just arent that accurate before 4w, and there isnt a lot that can be done before 4w to improve an embryo's chances other than taking FA. in fact, some reporrts suggest that taking asprin before implantation can hinder implantation.

OP posts:
sevendwarves · 10/04/2011 20:19

Dueling love your name by the way, I thought with IVF if you tested early you would get a positive test regardless due to the hormones you have to take. No experience to back that up but we looked into PGD as DS has an inherited genetic condition.

worzel I think cheap eBay tests are crap worse and strongly encourage anyone not to buy them.

DuelingFanjo · 10/04/2011 20:04

I have to agree with the OP. When I was ttc I started off testing early but pretty soon realised it was better to wait until my period was late otherwise I would just keep hoping (and testing) that it was just too early and I really was pregnant. This usually meant a few days of false hope which made me even more miserable when I finally got my period.

When I eventually had IVF they told me not to test until 16 days after the embryo transfer and I stuck to it even though technically I could have tested a lot earlier.

Bexamundo · 10/04/2011 20:00

Amen Lissielou! Will be sitting on hands for next two weeks...

cherrychoo · 10/04/2011 19:07

Buuuut i need want feel that i would like to know ASAP so that i can then prepare, as you know lissie for the next mc that will inevitably happen.

I solenmly declare that i shall never ever do a test early ever ever again.

I promise
I do, i promise you......
wont
i will not
nor will i test early, till af due
not the day before
not two days before
not till the actual day.
the day itself....
promise
Grin

WorzselMummage · 10/04/2011 18:56

No-one should be lining clearblues pockets at any time of the month anyway. They make shit pregnancy tests and even shitter television adverts.

Don't give them a penny and buy cheap tests from amazon or ebay which are more accrate, easier to read, don't give false positives and cost about 1% of the price.

Buggerlugs, have you read Taking Charge of Your Fertility ? that should halp you work out when you're ovulating :)

buggerlugs82 · 10/04/2011 18:51

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This post has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns.

sevendwarves · 10/04/2011 18:25

Sorry hairy and chocolate for your mc's.

Except for exceptional circumstances I agree completely. I had a very faint line on an early cheap test and started getting excited. The next day was a BFN. That was 2 weeks ago and still no AF or BFP. The stupid thing is after that line a small part of me still thinks 'could I be pregnant?' but I know full well BFN's 3 weeks after ovulation means I'm definitely not.

Original poster
chocolatecoveredlissielou · 10/04/2011 17:02

but hairy, how early? Ive had 13 mc's and I take asprin from 7dpo (just in case) but my cons wont prescribe heparin until I am 6w pg

what meds are you taking? (its lissie btw)

OP posts:
hairylights · 10/04/2011 16:35

Sorry but that's not the case for me. I need to know as early as possible as I've had 3 x losses and have to consider medication from day one and taking absolutely no risks at all.

Original poster
chocolatecoveredlissielou · 10/04/2011 16:10

thank you dreaming. and I do understand, Ive been there. but I worked out last night that the average woman takes 12m to conceive, so if you buy 2 packs of CB HPT tests and one of the OV kits (which I have nothing against btw, I dont really like them, but hey ho) the average woman will spent almost £500 in a year. its really not worth it.

oh and this is interesting reading too.

OP posts:
DreamingOfABump · 10/04/2011 16:04

sensible advice, its so hard to be sensible with something as emotive as ttc, but early testing is a recipe for disaster. So many women book appts to see gp/mw only for their period to come and be heartbroken. damn you early tests.

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